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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 15:07:42
Hello,
I have treatment resistant depression. I have been taking Emsam 12 mg for about a month. Last week, I started taking Curcumin BCM 95 400 mg, twice a day. Over the past week, it seems that my anxiety and irritability have worsened. My depression seems worse too.
I read that Curcumin showed MAOI activity in rats. Is it possible that the combination of Emsam and Curcumin is too stimulating?
Should I just stay the course and give my body more time to adjust to this combo?
Thanks,
TxMex81
Posted by linkadge on October 1, 2015, at 19:44:36
In reply to Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 15:07:42
Be on the lookout for symptoms like shivering, chills, muscle rigidity etc. as it could be a symptom of serotonin syndrome.
I have not read much literature on the combination of two MAOI's.
The only think I can think is that (since selegiline has a amphetamine metabolite - amphetamine inhibits serotonin reuptake), its possible that it may not mesh so well with MAOI's more selective to MAOA.
I have combined fo-ti (herbal MAO-B inhibitor) with turmeric with decent results.
How much emsam are you taking? You could try lowering it.
Linkadge
Posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 21:27:28
In reply to Re: Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by linkadge on October 1, 2015, at 19:44:36
I currently use the 12 mg patch. Would taking off the patch at night reduce the dose? I read that taking off the patch before bedtime can help ease insomnia.
I was previously using the 9 mg patch for about 6 months. This dose worked very well for about three months, but then my symptoms returned. My pdoc decided to try increasing the patch to 12 mg, but I haven't noticed any improvement.
Posted by bleauberry on October 2, 2015, at 13:26:51
In reply to Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 15:07:42
Keep in mind, it is not unusual that things can get worse on a certain antidepressant. That happens more frequently than efficacy actually.
That said, I doubt you will get enough MAOI activity from the spice to make a significant difference. The antidepressant effect people experience with that plant are more likely due to other mechanisms within it. For example, potent anti-inflammatory through unique channels of action. The primary thing in Lyme Disease that causes depression, is the inflammation and its resulting debris....toxicity.
Berberine is another super good plant for most psych diagnosis including depression, bipolar, anxiety, and schizophrenic. Most people have never heard of it. It has so many different beneficial mechanisms it might be impossible to figure out which ones are doing the psych work. But again, I believe it comes back to the same thing....anti-inflammation, anti-infection, anti-toxicity.
Those are the causes of psychiatric symptoms in the majority of cases, in my opinion. If psych MDs were to target those three categories aggressively and hold back on the neurochemical drugs, I think they would be surprised.
Posted by Uncouth on October 5, 2015, at 21:54:52
In reply to Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 15:07:42
I'd guess it's just the Emsam....I've found 12mg Emsam to be very "speedy" and cause a lot of irritability and anxiety. It's really strong. Agree with bleuberry in that the curcumin is unlikely to add much of an MAOI...People take curcumin with SSRIs...lots of people....never heard of serotonin syndrome. I think it's a fairly weak MAOI or at least has a ceiling effect.
Posted by former poster on October 15, 2015, at 10:39:54
In reply to Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 15:07:42
I don't know if this helps answer your question but I've taken massive doses of curcumin with Emsam 6mg patch for years. I'm betting that the combo won't be a problem at 12mg.
Posted by Horse on October 27, 2015, at 1:33:41
In reply to Re: Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI), posted by TxMex81 on October 1, 2015, at 21:27:28
> I currently use the 12 mg patch. Would taking off the patch at night reduce the dose? I read that taking off the patch before bedtime can help ease insomnia.
>
> I was previously using the 9 mg patch for about 6 months. This dose worked very well for about three months, but then my symptoms returned. My pdoc decided to try increasing the patch to 12 mg, but I haven't noticed any improvement.Removing the patch in the evening should help sleep.
Posted by former poster on October 27, 2015, at 11:37:34
In reply to Re: Curcumin with Emsam (MAOI) » TxMex81, posted by Horse on October 27, 2015, at 1:33:41
I remove the patch 6 hours before sleep. This works for me. Everyone is different. I worry that I'm not getting the full dose by doing this. I wish I could find data on rate of absorption for this med.
This is the end of the thread.
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